TVOFS - Boise Office
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Posted on 12/20/2019 by Cole Anderson, DMD, MS |
 Jaw pain can be one of the most stubborn pains out there. In fact, when the pain is not handled properly, it might cause other parts of your body, such as your head to start throbbing uncontrollably. When jaw pain isn't handled, it can seriously compromise some of the basic but essential tasks we take for granted every day such as eating and even talking. The jaw connects to the skull via the temporomandibular joints, or TMJs and also holds the gums and teeth. Therefore, pain experienced on the jaw should always be taken seriously. Here are some of the causes of jaw pain and how they affect the patient. TMJ DisordersAlthough not something many people have heard of, this condition affects 1 in 8 people. Due to the fact that this condition affects temporomandibular joints, feeling pain in the jaws is quite natural. However, if this pain is coupled with a clicking sound while opening your mouth or pain on your face and ears, you can be certain that it is a serious problem and book an appointment to see a dentist immediately. Dental issuesSince our teeth are usually anchored to the jawbone, a problem with them will often trickle down to the jaw being in pain. Such issues include when the teeth ache due to an abscess or a cavity. The pain can also be due to cracked or damaged teeth or worse gum disease. When the pain in the jaw is piercing and won't let off, you should consult a professional for some exams to be done thus ascertaining the origin of the problem and how to handle it properly. TraumaJust like any other bone in our anatomy, you can break the jaw bone or knock it out of place. When the jaw is hit, you will often find swelling, bruising and a lot of pain in the area. However, using some over the counter medication, you can manage the pain until it goes away after a few days. If the pain doesn't recede, then you could be facing something more serious. If you have been experiencing serious jaw pain that just won't go away, you should be ready to see a dentist as soon as possible. We will perform various tests to find the root cause of the problem and solve it. |
